Project lightweight 914!, PO-MANS ELISE! Options

[Greg Bell]

Guys,

I have always been fascinated by lightweight cars (maybe because i am a fat ass). the lotus Elise (the original 96' one) is the standard of what i like. My 914 is my fun car, so it does not need to have any creature comforts other than a windshield, seat, floors and doors.

My question is, how fast would a 1800 pound 914 with a 115 hp type IV really be? Any ideas?

Plus, what would you guys recommend I do next. I have already stripped and boxed most of the interior, spare tire, tools, loose changes, etc. What should be next on the list. I'm thinking about a header system. I am also thinking about gutting the doors and replacing the bumpers with FG. Plus, I am going to remove the fogs and the center console. Keep in mind, I don't really want to "gut the car" until it is race-only. Think minimalist, not masochist.

[ArtechnikA]

QUOTE (Greg Bell @ Jun 22 2005, 05:57 PM)

Where is the best place to buy fiberglass bumpers, hood, trunk and engine lid? Does the rear glass have any structrual purpose? I don't mean to be silly, but will it change anything if I take it out? Heck, why not take it out alltogether? Any ideas on how to replace the wiring harness? I was thinking about ripping out the old one and just doing a to bare minimum. Heck, my wiring is so screwed up it will probably help! How much would a fuel cell save?

i like Getty. there is also at least one East Coast glass shop that seems to be reliable.

the car will be INCREDIBLY LOUD without the back glass, plus it keeps out a LOT of rust-forming water. if you don't think so, ask the guys who've had leaky windows about their inner firewall rust... but structurally? nothing...

a proper wiring harness is a PITA but it is not rocket science - it's "just" a matter of keeping track of dozens of wires and making sure they get the proper connectors where they need to be. i'd suggest you get as many different colors of wire as possible, and try to keep them as close to the original color code as possible. do not scrimp on gauge - the factory already did that, and going smaller is probably not a great idea.

the factory tank is mostly just space and not that heavy, and gallon for gallon, a cell won't save you that much in weight. the big difference is in leaving out gasoline - 6.5 lbs/gal. if you put only 6 gal in your stock take, you've saved 65 lbs.